NEFA is a partner in ArtistLink, a new initiative which helps artists, developers, and municipalities in the creation and preservation of affordable artist space.
Mission
ArtistLink is a new collaborative effort to create a stable yet dynamic environment for Massachusetts artists. Led by director Jason Schupbach, ArtistLink achieves this mission by taking a leadership role on artist space by providing individual artists, developers, and municipalities with targeted information and technical assistance and by advocating for relevant policy changes at the state level. Through partnerships with other organizations in New England and across the country, ArtistLink shares best practices and participates in the development and execution of new models of artist assistance. This effort is part of a national ten-year campaign spearheaded by LINC (Leveraging Investments in Creativity) to improve conditions for artists in all disciplines by addressing artist needs for space, health insurance, financial support, and business planning.
Services ArtistLink sees itself as a broker of information and an advocate for artists' needs. They are equipped to work with artists, artist groups, arts-minded organizations, real estate developers, municipalities, and other proponents to develop artist spaces and a range of other real estate issues. ArtistLink also promotes the artist agenda in the state's larger housing and space debate.
ArtistLink provides three key services:
Preservation and creation of permanent and affordable artist space
For ArtistLink, ‘artist space’ is any building which contains a permanent, affordable space in which an artist can create their work (e.g. any mix of rental and/or ownership of work, live-work, and living space, band or theater rehearsal space and community art centers). ArtistLink focuses on assisting individual artists, arts-minded organizations, real-estate developers (both for and non-profit), municipalities, and others primarily in the pre-development phase.
Services Provided:
- Feasibility assessments
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Information and access to the artist market
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Connection to potential funding sources
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Connection to services (legal, insurance, green building, code consulting)
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Building collaborations with key development officials
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Assist artist groups with real estate search
Policy work at the state and local level to encourage artist-friendly policies
For municipal policy, ArtistLink provides advocacy/policy advice on artist issues including arts district zonings, assistance with restricting buildings for artists and assistance with sale of municipal buildings for artist use. A state level policy initiative is being mapped out for the future.
